How to become a Sivananda Yoga Teacher

Updated on October 26, 2011

Why did I want to do a yoga teacher's training course?

Being brought up as a hindu, yoga was part of my upbringing. I have been practising yoga since I was 13 but then when I left home to go to University I stopped yoga for other forms of exercise, including karate, running, tennis, keep fit and circuit training classes.

Over the last five years, I have found my journey took me back to yoga. Yoga for me is not only the asanas (postures) but the pure yoga taught by the ancient scriptures of India, which include proper exercise, proper breathing, proper relaxation, proper diet, positive thinking and meditation. In today's stressful life, yoga will undoubtedly benefit most people and hence the desire to help others by teaching yoga was born. I had already done some unofficial yoga teaching with friends and family members.

The Group Photo

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Selecting a yoga course that is right for you

There are hundreds of different types of yoga from chocolate yoga to Chaya (shadow) yoga [Chaya happens to be my name!]

There are however few yoga "types" that are really the true yoga from ancient India

To name a few : Sivananda, Iyengar, Bikram and Ashtanga (Although the name Ashtanga means the eight limbs of yoga and is therefore misused!)

If you are looking at learning and teaching yoga as any other sport then the choice is really based on the style you prefer.

For example, Ashtanga and Power Yoga are for the fit.

Some people love Bikram yoga, but I find that it is the hardest form of yoga as it is carried out in a very hot (40 Deg Centigrade) room.

I was looking at a style of yoga that would become more a way of life and also as per the ancient Indian scriptures explained, a yoga practice that would help me become a better person and get closer to the divine within.

After a lot of research I decided that the Sivananda course was the right one for me. However it seemed the most intense and difficult of all of them, but it was the only teacher's training course that I found, that includes, chanting, prayers, meditation, vegetarian cooking, and lectures on philosophy and Indian scriptures. I made this choice although I was a little nervous that it would be too hard!

The Sivananda Rockers!

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The location : India or elsewhere?

Of course, since yoga comes from India it would be nice to do the TTC (Teacher's training course) in India. So I started looking at costs, dates and how to get to different ashrams. But while I was researching and about to book a Sivananda course in India, I realised that the courses are carried out exactly the same way and usually it is the same swamis, who fly all around the world to give these courses. As it happened, I had to work longer on my project and could not make the dates in India. The best timing for me corresponded to the course in May in London. I used to live in London and I felt it was the right place to do the course.

The course

The course duration : Started 14th May 2011 and finished on 12th June 2011.

Price : The price was based on the number of people sharing a room, from 1900 pounds to 2600 pounds.

The course was held in a Sivananda Centre, which is not exactly an ashram. The centre was a place where londoners came to do their yoga classes and some also helped out with chores in the kitchen on a voluntary basis. These people became our link to the outside world over the month.

The facilities were excellent. Nice spacious yoga studios, meditation and prayer rooms were well lit and very nice positive energy throughout the centre.

The course was structured such that we had a 5:45 wake up bell everyday even on our days off (yes we did have a kind of day off!). But most of us were up way before that, as there was a mad rush for the couple of showers we had to share between 16 of us!

There was normally a 30 min meditation at 6:15 followed by chanting. I was nervous about the chanting bit, but in the end I really enjoyed it and it was very uplifting. The morning session always ended with a lecture by one of the swamis, about some important aspect of Indian philosophy, for example reincarnation, karma and similar topics.

At 8:00 we had our morning yoga session. Here we were all learning to push ourselves a little more and stretch our body that little bit further. We learnt intermediate and advanced variations of the 12 basic Sivananda postures. By the end of the month we were all much more flexible and doing things we never imagined we could do! The bonus for me was I lost at least 4kg in weight.

By the end of our yoga session, we were all starving. So brunch was normally at 10:00. The food was just delicious. I have never eaten so well while losing weight. After brunch we all had chores to do. This is a very important part of yoga. It is called karma yoga, or selfless service. This helps us develop humility and get rid of this monster inside us called EGO.

At 12:00 we had a lecture either on the Bhagvadgita (one of the most important scriptures describing how one can reach enlightenment) or learning chants and understanding the meanings of chanting and how to use mantras during meditation. A mantra is the repetition of a sacred sound like AUM.

At 13:00 we had a headstand workshop, for those who were struggling with this king of asanas. I have to admit I am still working on my headstand but I hope one day soon I can stand on my own head!

At 14:00 we had the main philosophy lecture, which I absolutely loved because the topics discussed were those that I have been wondering about all my life. It would not do any of these deep meaningful topics justice to discuss them here, and I hope to write other hubs on these topics at a later date.

At 16:00 we had our practical "how to teach yoga" session. This was a great practical session, but it was stressful when it was our turns to teach as we had to find time in our busy schedule to prepare for the different classes we had to teach as well as do two sets of homeworks every day!

At 18:00 it was time to eat again! Then at 20:00 we had our last meditation, chanting and informal lecture! By the time we had finished helping clear up the rooms it was normally around 22:30 and I slept like a log. I always remember my dreams very vividly, but either I did not dream or I was too exhausted as I did not remember a single dream over that month!

Finally, there was a 60 questions written examination to complete in 3 hours. We had to study quite hard for it and it was nice that we all passed! We all received our lovely yoga teacher's training certificate.

Talent show

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The people

The students were a really diverse group. We all came from totally different walks of life and people came from South Africa, New Zealand, USA and all over Europe. So it was fun having such a group. The age group was from 25 to 68!

Amazingly enough we all got on great although each one of us had a tough time fighting with emotions and hardships we were going through.

The teachers were incredibly patient, kind and very giving.

I got to know everyone fairly well as my karma yoga (selfless service) was doing roll call or attendance for each class and I also had to collect everyone's homework. Although my job appeared easy at first, it had challenges when people did not remember to hand in homework etc...well I felt like the school prefect! Nice thing was I got to know everyone's name fairly quickly.

One fun thing we had to do together was a talents show and that was great fun and we discovered, rockers, singers, dancers, song writers, poets and artists! It was nice to have a bit of light-hearted fun when everything else was quite serious.

Initiation into the spiritual world

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What the experience brought to me

Discipline in my own yoga practice

A strong connection to the Sivananda organisation, including the Paris Centre where I have been to help and practice

Tapping into all the knowledge from an incredible line of gurus/masters

A desire to evolve spiritually as a yoga student and a desire to help others evolve by being an instrument for teaching yoga.

Deepening my meditation practice by being given a mantra by my spiritual teachers that will help me even when I am practising alone.

Finally we are all looking for happiness and peace, and I feel the course took me a big step forward to that place.

And what happens afterwards...

My husband is helping me to turn our basement into a yoga studio where I will start teaching yoga in September.

I have become a vegetarian and feel very healthy.

I hope I can follow the yogic path of non-violence and purity for the rest of this amazing journey called life.

This hub was selected in the Share and Share a Like hubpage contest Week 3 fave 14. Final results were third position with 32 votes. Thanks to all those who voted for this hub!

The Sivananda Organisation

Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres and Ashrams | Om Page International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres. Founded by Swami Vishnudevananda over 50 years ago, we have over 60 yoga centres and ashrams around the world. Our teacher training course now has over 26,000 graduates. We offer yoga vacations, retreats

15 comments

Very interesting and nicely done~ Congrats on making it into the Fab 14 and good luck!!

Simone Smith 5 years ago from San Francisco

This just makes me wish I had taken more time to learn Yoga! I love Pilates, which is based to a great extent, on Yoga, so I really ought to learn more about the true form. What a cool course it is you took! Thanks for sharing this info on it :D

Chaya Parmessur 5 years ago from FRANCE Author

@akirchner : Thanks very much. I was a bit surprised as I was not even thinking of the contest but just wanted to share this amazing experience!

Simone,

Thanks for choosing my hub and for your continued support!

fashion 5 years ago

Very interesting and nicely written hub.

Great job is done.

Chaya Parmessur 5 years ago from FRANCE Author

Thanks a lot @fashion! Look forward to reading yours too!

WannaB Writer 5 years ago from Templeton, CA

You have provided a lot of useful information for those who want to learn more about yoga. Congrats on making the Fab 15.

Denise Handlon 5 years ago from North Carolina

Chaya, (I love your name, BTW), wonderful recount of your journey back to Yoga and your deliberation with your choice. It's obvious you have taken this seriously where you weighed out the value of each style of yoga before embarking on that form of study.

It's always amazing to me when things unfold so beautifully, as you have mentioned about being okay to study in India, only to discover one in your own backyard. I see it as validation that it is 'right path'.

Beautiful hub and photos. Great job topping the list on the fave 14. :)

Best wishes on the next phase of your journey in teaching yoga. I admire that.

Chaya Parmessur 5 years ago from FRANCE Author

Hi WannaB Writer! Thanks for your comment.

Hi Denise! Thanks very much for your feedback. Well done you too for being in the Fab 14! It was hard trying to get friends on FB to vote. Great lesson in humility.

kashmir56 5 years ago from Massachusetts

A very interesting and well written hub with all great information on taking a Yoga course,which can help all those who are looking to do Yoga !

Carole Anzolletti 5 years ago from The Phantom Queen's Labyrinth

Hello Chaya! I am able to just now reply, and sorry it was not sooner, I am still getting used to notifications, etc. I get so busy and lost sometimes! Thank you for reading my hubs as well, I need to get back over here - doing some major transitioning in my life right now, and I admire your wonderful journey here :)

carolinemd21 5 years ago from Close to Heaven

I love this hub! I read all of your hubs and was going to study to become a yoga teacher this year, but some setbacks made me not do it this year unfortunately. Your article was very helpful and made me think a lot about what I want to try. Thank you! :)

Chaya Parmessur 5 years ago from FRANCE Author

Hi Caroline, Thanks for reading all my hubs.

If there were the setbacks it means it was not the right time. The right time and the right course is around the corner as it sounds to me you really want to do it.

I wish you all the best of luck on this path.

masmasika 5 years ago

Great and informative hub. Your journey is great and I'm sure it will surely help others. I do't do yoga but I sometimes meditate. Thanks for sharing. Voted up.

Chaya Parmessur 5 years ago from FRANCE Author

Thanks mamasika. I love your name! meditation is part of yoga and is actually the most difficult part of yoga.

Naomi 4 years ago

Hi Chaya

This is a great insight into the teacher's training course and it's kind of you to share your experiences with us.

I live in London and I am currently deciding whether to take the course here in London or in Orleans,France.

I have noticed that you are from France but you chose to take the course in London.

My main reservation on doing it in London is that it seems to have less open space, less personal space too, that the TTC in other countries.

What is your thought on this? Do you feel the London course can get a bit claustrophobic? Do you feel you missed out a bit doing the TTC in the middle of a bustling capital city?

And on a different note, did you feel supported emotionally by the teachers? You mention that you are married. I am also and am very close to my husband and will find it difficult to leave him for 1 month. How did you cope with this aspect?